Syria has never given up hope that it will one day recuperate the Golan, one way or another; preferably through peaceful means. But failing that, the military option - though unrealistic - has never been altogether off the table.

In an interview granted to the Middle East Times last Friday, Dory Chamoun, the leader of Lebanon's National Liberal Party said that he expected Syria and Israel to engage in what he called a "mock-up war." What Chamoun means is that he expects to see a conflict limited in scope which would allow Syria to reclaim part of the Golan, following a negotiated treaty with Israel.

Although negotiations have been ongoing between Syria and Israel over the future of the Golan Heights not much progress has been achieved, partly because these have been so-called "track two negotiations," talks that do not usually involve high officials in government.

Additionally, the U.S. administration of George W. Bush has not been open to the idea of Israel and Syria, whom Washington considers a supporter of international terrorism, to engage in peace talks.

If war breaks out, it will have to be a short, quick conflict as neither country can sustain a prolonged military engagement.

Syria's economy, which is just starting to improve, would suffer a severe setback, placing even greater pressure on the regime of Bashar Assad.

For Israel, a relatively small country, a prolonged conflict would tax citizens at home as well as its soldiers serving on the front lines.

Measuring about 240 miles from north to south and about 10 miles at its narrowest point, between the West Bank and the Mediterranean Sea, the Jewish state is vulnerable to rocket and mortar attacks from south Lebanon (if Hezbollah enters into the conflict) and from Gaza and the West Bank should Hamas and other Islamist forces join the fight. In other words, most of Israel, including the international airport between Tel Aviv and Jerusalem is within artillery, rocket or missile range.

Israel, however, is equipped with the latest U.S.-made – and war tested (in Iraq and Afghanistan) – weaponry; from defensive missile systems which have been greatly improved since the last Gulf War in 1990-91, to reinforced armor on its fighting vehicles.

Syria has also updated its Soviet-era arsenal though much of it remains far inferior to what Western technology can throw at it.

For example, the primary troop carrier used by Israel is the U.S.-made M113 armored personnel carrier (APC), far better built than the Soviet-era BTR used by the Syrians.

Here is a brief breakdown of how the two sides compare, according to "The Military Balance 2008," published by the London-based International Institute of Strategic Studies:

ISRAEL: SYRIA:

6,426,789 Population 19,314,747

Military

176,500 Active 292,600

133,000 Army 215,000

9,500 Navy 7,600

34,000 Air Force 30,000

8,050 Paramilitary 108,000

Air Def. 40,000

565,000 Reserves 314,000

3,501 Main Battle Tanks 4,950

10,419 Armored Personnel Carriers 1,500

5,432 Artillery 3,440

393 combat planes 583

(includes) (includes)

90 F-16A Fighting Falcon 68 MiG-29A

16 F-16B Fighting Falcon 30 MiG-25

27 F-15A Eagle 80 Mig-23MLD

94 Attack Helicopters 71

As with previous conflicts, Israel would rely heavily on its air force. But as was demonstrated during the war waged on Hezbollah by Israel two summers ago, at some point it would have to commit its infantry and this is where Israel would suffer the greatest amount of casualties.

What the Bush administration should realize in its efforts to secure peace between Palestinians and Israelis is that ensuring a peace treaty between Syria and Israel would create a shortcut in the Middle East road map to peace.